pokes fun
Ribs in jest
To poke fun at someone or something is to tease or mock in a lighthearted way: The sketch pokes fun at celebrity culture.
The phrase suggests gentle ridicule rather than harsh criticism—more playful than mean-spirited.
You can poke fun at yourself, at traditions, at public figures.
The object of the teasing is usually not seriously harmed.
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- wryDryly mocking in tone
- dry humorUnderstated, expressionless comedy
- satireMockery exposing vice
- sardonicGrimly mocking
tongue firmly in cheek · playful · facetious · parody · jesting · pulling your leg · wit · inside jokes · roasting · taking the mickey · teasing · mischievous · ribbing · lampoon · caricature · irony · cheeky · bantering
pokes funpraises
Verbally commends
compliments · lauds · extols · flatters · celebrates
pokes funsavages
Uncivilized or brutal people
eviscerates · tears apart · brutalizes · lambasts · excoriates
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